Interview: Big Brother Australia 2012 Winner Benjamin Norris

Big Brother 2012 went out with a bang last night, as nearly 1.5 million people watched 32-year-old Melbournian Benjamin Norris take the winner's crown (with $250,000 and a brand new car in tow). The finale was an emotional one, with Ben looking completely shocked when he was announced as the winner. But he had a surprise of his own, and he tugged on the nation's collective heartstrings when he proposed to his boyfriend, also named Ben, on stage. Benjamin was known throughout the series for his honesty (and self-described bitchiness), best friendship with fellow housemate Stacey and his rivalry with second runner-up Estelle. We caught up with Ben earlier today to find out what the Big Brother experience was really like.

Congratulations, Ben! Thank you so much [pauses]. Sorry! I always seem to have a few things going on in my head at the same time, but thank you so much, that’s so nice. I’m still in a lot of shock to be honest, I don’t know if you watched on TV last night but it was a lot . . . I just didn’t expect to win. I expected to propose to Ben, and I knew that was going to be there, but I just didn’t ever expect that I was going to win Big Brother.

Click here to read more from Big Brother 2012 winner Ben!

Did you ever try and anticipate how you would react if you’d won?I didn’t even think about it – I thought Layla had it in the bag! I didn’t even think for a second it would be me, and when I saw the car I thought, well that’s the second prize, so I’m going to get that... then when they said the car was mine, as well as this money, and I got engaged. I’ve woken up today so humbled and proud of myself, which is an unusual experience in life to feel validated this way...It’s so strange. Did you watch the show?

I did, I watched the whole thing!What was your highlight? Did you want Layla to win or did you want me to win?

No offense, but I was going for Michael...So was I!

But then the whole Estelle hook-up threw me off and I actually voted for you.Yaaaay! Did you see when I threw [Estelle's toy] horse over the fence?

I did, but I wasn’t sure what that was about...Oh no, I threw it over the wall and said, “Take your friggin’ horse that you rode in on!”

What was it about Estelle that everyone disliked? They didn’t show anything that made her seem that bad.My best friend said that last night, she said they didn’t show anything. But they could tell by the look on my face that she must have been doing a certain something for me, as someone who never gives up, and who tries and tries and tries... they could tell there must’ve been something [annoying]. You know, she’s an amazing person and I’m glad that they picked her to put in the house because she was interesting to watch. She just didn’t always make for the best housemate, that’s all. As in, to get along with. She just didn’t really have much to say, I don’t know... best to not talk about it! [Laughs]. I just really want to connect to this experience in a positive way. It’s hard to focus on small things like that because at the end of the day, that’s Estelle’s journey, her story, and it doesn’t necessarily need to affect me.

Were you worried she was going to take the title out?I thought that she could do, I thought that the support must’ve been growing. She’d come into the yard after she’d film her ‘save me’ speeches [where nominated housemates had to tell the audience why they deserved to stay] and she’d be like “I talk to my Stella fans and tell them that they are sickest,” and all sorts of stuff. I mean, I cried every time I had to make one of those videos because I didn’t know how to do it. The last time I had to do it, I was sitting on the toilet, refusing to go out to do my save me video because I didn’t know what to say. They [Big Brother producers] would say, “Finish this line: ‘I deserve to win Big Brother because’...” and I was like, well what kind of a person can say why they deserve to win over someone else? It made no sense to me. I always went very dyslexic, like “Winning Big Brother was is fun of the sun and the moon...” They’d say, "We can’t use that because that doesn’t make sense!"

But you came across as very articulate!I was if I was talking about something naturally, but to be put into the context of saying that you should win Big Brother over these other people, it didn’t bode well with me – to the point where my brain was fried by it.

Well, it worked in your favour...It did! And I think maybe, whilst I hated myself and beat myself up over it, maybe the emotion conjured up by that was empathetic, I don’t know.

You tended to have your emotions written all over your face.Yeah, well I haven’t seen any of it and I must admit, I don’t spend much time looking at myself in the mirror, but judging by the reactions I’ve gotten [since leaving the house], that must’ve been the magic into making me win. People felt like they were there with me.

Have you been shocked by any of the opinions people have about you?There are a few things that are being thrown around but I’m actually quite – oh, this sounds ridiculous – but there are a few ways in which I’ve been titled since leaving the house. I’m excited that it’s quite a collection of characteristics about me; I don’t like the idea of going into Big Brother and being a one trick pony. I made mistakes, I bitched about people behind their backs and to their faces, I learnt things about myself that I do in my life that I don’t need to do anymore ... I dragged in a bag of emotional crap and went through it for Australia to watch. I don’t know how else to be! I can’t take anything back, but I can learn from the mistakes I made and choose whether I do them again.

Is there anything you’d take back? Nothing. It’s hard to watch things like throwing a glass of water in Bradley’s face, it’s hard to watch myself make mistakes, but I have to remind myself that at times I was sleep deprived, I was not eating correctly, my lifestyle had changed, my friends and family weren’t there to support me. We had no books to read before bed at night . . . all you have is the clothes you took in. It’s hard to remind yourself of who you truly were.

Were you guys bored?[Quietly] Yes. [Loudly] No.

Talk us through what happened after the show last night.There was a party last night but I was doing a few catch-ups and bits and pieces of interviews, but it was more about getting to the party and getting to add a bit of closure to it. All the housemates were there and it was nice to see them and the producers and everyone that worked on the show, and have a few quick chats before I went to bed.

So you slept?Yep, but none of the other housemates did. Oats a la Layla [housemate Layla] looked like she was about to toss her oats a la Layla out the window on the way here this morning!

Is there any gossip from last night’s party? Were there any hook-ups?Everyone wants to know about it! There was a housemate hook-up but I can’t confirm who it is because I didn’t see it so it’s not my place to say. But apparently there were a couple.

Who were your three favourite housemates?Michael, Stacey and Zoe. Actually, Michael, Stacey and Sarah. I know Sarah wasn’t popular, but she was instrumental in shaping me and my time in the house. Unfortunately, some of her characteristics overshadowed the good that she had, and while she came across as condescending and a bit full on to some people, she taught me some very important lessons about life and I took them on board. The others found it to be a bit condescending. She was the one who questioned why I’m different, why I don’t get the same rights as everyone else [with regards to same-sex marriage]. When I was nominated, she made me believe that I was worthwhile and deserved to be there. Sarah’s genuine spirit and the way she is, in the outside world she’s not the sort of person I’d connect to – she’s almost too nice – but to be in there and see it consistently showed me and Michael that she truly was a good person and deserved to be there a lot longer than she was.

Which was the best day, and which was the worst?The best day of the whole house was finding out that there was no House 2 and we all jumped in the pool with our clothes on. The house was the most magical when it was a house united. And when the house united and jumped into the pool together, the house light up and became electrical, and was an experience like no other. The saddest moment for me was when Josh had to leave the show. He was also an instrumental part of my sanity in the house and to lose him was not only terrifying because I knew what he was going through, but also terrifying for me in that I knew I had lost a very important part of the Big Brother journey.

Last question – please sum up the entire experience in a few words of your own.I would say... Nothing that I expected, life changing, exhilarating, roller-coaster. Amazing!

Congratulations again, and on the engagement...Thank you! Ben’s sitting right next to me so I’ll let him know. Thank you very much! I hope you have a good day.

Just bc Estelle may have never been to la before doesn't make her fake. Maybe she actually watches it on tv and follows the team from there cos she enjoys watching basketball?! I know plenty of ozzies who follow American football and basketball from a their Australian couches. To the poster who said get a life-ben is the most interesting-u sound like a teenage girl "hehehe". Get some morals and values about how to treat others.

2 years

The worst Big Brother winner ever. I am agree with the comments above. She is so dumm. Estelle should WIN!!!!
Holden should give her a car your tidd %%#&^.

2 years

He shouldn't win. I know everyone vote 3 days before to Estelle and she was first with over 40%. It was unfair with everyone that vote to Estelle.
His comments about her it obviously jealousy. Typical trying to say good thinks about Layla who doesn't like him at all to put Estelle down. Ben you should give your money to Estelle.

2 years

oh my gosh you guys can really judge hay hehehhe get a life BEN WON and thats it the SHOWS OVER!!!!!! BEN you are the most funniest interesting person i know and you deserved all the best to you and your fiance ben!!!!!

2 years

Estelle was not "real." She was the most fake person in the house. She walked around with Los Angeles Lakers gear on all the time-I bet she has never even been to a freaking game before, much less even been to Los Angeles. Then she thinks she is gangsta just because she thinks she can rap. Someone should probably tell her there is more to rapping than rhyming words together. And I've got news for you honey, you aren't a gangsta if you have a horse. I would love to take her to LA, where those Lakers play, and drop her ass off in South Central. We will see how gangsta she is then. Talk about fake.....

2 years

Of cause ben won, he had a partner at home voting knowing if he spend thousands of dollars voting he will get it back by ben winning. Im sure sam did the same thinking he might get a car. Estelle should have won! Only real person in there.

2 years

To the anonymous poster above accusing us of being hypocrites....We are not being hypocrites by opposing two faced, hostile behavior, if anything you are the one being a hypocrite by defending that type of behavior whilst targeting kind people like us who prefer decent people over bitchy ones.
Everyone here who is bothered by Bens hateful, bitchy behavior is speaking out because they don't like seeng hateful behavior rewarded. The guy confessed that he hated everyone in the house and got off on manipulating, backstabbing and instigating hatred towards people like Estelle, its disgusting behavior.
If society turns their back on speaking out against bullying, hateful, malicious behavior we witnessed then that would encourage people like that to think its okay. So your using the word hypocrite wrong in this instance. Normally none of us who oppose bitch people like Ben would say anything bad about others, but we speak up to oppose such hateful behavior.

2 years

Estelle should have won...Ben was a bitch. Everyone had a problem w Estelle except those who were confident enough not to be threatened by her. Estelle was a target simply because she was young, intelligent, attractive and nice. Jealousy sums it up nicely.

2 years

he's still an insecure little man with serious issues. once the money is gone (he'll plough through it pretty quickly) and he's sunk back into obscurity...... his partner will move on...much like his employment history shows, noone wants him around for long

2 years

Don't listen to the hypocrites Ben. LOL! They are doing to you exactly what they accuse you of! Bullying, judging, bitching and being downright nasty!

2 years

I was sad that Ben won because he spent all his time and energy judging others, apart from a few fun moments when he wasn't being bitchy. I'm a bit older than most people her probably are and probably look at this a bit more objectively. If I was young I would have really liked and connected with Estelle because she was the opposite. I was never one to hang around the people who talked about others and fed off it to feel a sense of belonging. Estelle is very intelligent for a start. Yes maybe she can be a bit kooky but as she says, she was just amusing herself. Ben thrives on gossip. Sad actually. He just doesn't understand people who don't. Simple. Same as some of the other gossips. They'd spend their time better really getting to know people and appreciating their differences instead of expecting them to be a certain way. Estelle is just a beautiful person. Half her luck - beautiful inside and out and brains to boot!

I could not believe that I used to like him a lot at the beginning because I thought he was funny but then his nasty side just overtook how I saw him. It is just a really so disgusting feeling when they announced him the winner. At that moment I was so sad because I knew that the show had sent to the public a wrong message. He is a real bitch, very nasty, and back stabbed people heartless, did not respect BB rules when he discussed nomination many times and tried to send his message to his family which none of other HMs did and with all of that he was the winner???? How could you be a winner if you broke the rules of game.He should have been sent out after number of strikes he was given by BB. In a way he re-enforces what many people think gay people are like: drama, queer, bitchy, nasty, into gossiping, back stabbing. I am a gay guy but to be honest I can stand him. I am glad that I did not get stuck in one place with him. Now if you ask me about him, one word "horrible".

2 years

Does he want us to laugh when he said; "Oh no, I threw it over the wall and said, “Take your friggin’ horse that you rode in on!”"
What a nasty piece of work. Bullying is not funny, being gay you'd think he'd understand prejudice, but as long as its not him being picked on, he doesn't care. What a 'great' person.

2 years

Urgh get over it, you dont know how it actually was living with her, for the whole house to agree and get pissed off with how she acted in the house and towards housemates i mean that says somthing. The situation is alot different from when you getting to know someone from watching them on your couch then physically living with them.
Either way the show is a game, ben won and good on him
whats been said and done is in the past and plus It would of been a boreing big brother if the house actually pushed how they felt about estelle aside.
Its funny how people dont understand the power of video editing. Us the veiwers saw exactly what the producers wanted us to see and to keep us on our toes to watch more.
BB2012 DONE! CONGRADS BEN!!!
BB2013? lol now thats going to be interesting too see if they continue

2 years

As much as I tried to like Ben for his abilities to be a seemingly congruent person, the times he kicked 'Sam & Layla' in the pool..when he threw water in Bradley's face..the constant bitching about nearly everyone..the time he threw estelle's horse over the fence..the manipulation between contestants..all added up to the fact that I actually did not like him when all was said and done. Ben, I'm not being offensive to you mate,but seriously, grow a set,stop lying,stop manipulating &then you might just have some friends in the real world & finally start to fit in. You have this 'im gay, everyone judges me for it'mentality. U made me laugh a few times,but in the end, made yourself look like a tool by doing the previously mentioned things. Good on you for winning mate, but grow up & realise that the problem with homosexuality in today's society is brought upon by people like u & things that u did. From bitching all the time, to being two faced, to being fake. I'm a non-judgemental person but at the age of 32, u acted like a teenager & no wonder u have trouble keeping a job. That being all said and done, I hope u take these constructive comments & address them, because u could be a great guy. Anyone wishing to give me some feedback on my comments would be very welcome. Thanks for ur time

2 years

I cannot agree with the above comment more. I just hope Ben reads and takes on some of the things people are saying about him. He was a horrible person, his bitchy behaviour is inexcusable even though he constantly excuses it for honesty. Honesty or not, a grown man should know how to behave more appropriately without having to ostracize and put people down.
Shame on everyone that voted for him as well. Rewarding bullies is the last thing we need.

2 years

What a creepy little bitch!!! Cant come up with any real reason to excuse being so downright mean, nasty and just foul to Estelle. Throwing the horse over the fence just summed up the low little brain of this pea headed flea. No wonder he couldnt hold down a job, who would want to work with him.
He is just lucky that the other housemates were as empty headed and character lacking as him. Oh and BTW Ben, admitting you are a bitchy manipulator doesnt make it right or cool, Just shitty really. Some self development might be a good target for a few of those dollars mate.
Bullying bitching backstabbing and two faced nothings.......... and who voted for them.......
And for Layla, back to England dear girl, your nasty response to Estelle when it was just the three of you showed the real Layla. She was in the kitchen preparing food for you both, and youre dissing her, BITCHY..... no just a bitch. You're yesterdays news sweetie. .....and you arent going to age well, so best to develop a personality soon.
Way to go Estelle, talk about grace under pressure. Amazing resilience and poise. You can ride in my door any day, I dont know too many young people your age who could withstand such a tribe of two faced backstabbers and come out smiling. You did yourself proud and I think in many many peoples eyes, you have emerged as the real winner. You go girl.